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K-Producer C9 Power of Tounge
🕑 Added 2024-07-29 21:11:37 +0000 UTCThe atmosphere instantly tensed, the earlier warmth evaporating.
"Dad, I've told you," Sung-ho began, his voice strained. "This is a real opportunity. Byul-ho-ssi's company is partnering with SM Entertainment. We're going to debut for real."
His father scoffed. "And how long will that last? You're chasing a foolish dream, boy. You should be preparing for a real career."
The room fell silent, save for Min-seo's confused murmur. Sung-ho's mother busied herself with serving dinner, her movements jerky with discomfort.
Sung-ho clenched his fists under the table, torn between defending his passion and respecting his father. The weight of his family's expectations pressed heavily on his shoulders, a stark contrast to the exhilaration he'd felt on set just hours ago.
As the family began to eat in tense silence, Sung-ho couldn't help but wonder if he was making the right choice.
But then he remembered Byul-ho's unwavering confidence, the potential he saw in Ascend.
Sung-ho silently vowed to prove his father wrong. He would make Ascend a success, no matter what it took.
***
The other members of Ascend faced similar struggles in their own homes, each confronting the weight of familial expectations and doubts.
Min-jae's parents exchanged worried glances as he enthusiastically recounted the music video shoot.
His mother's voice was gentle but laced with concern, "Honey, we're happy you're excited, but... it's been six months. Shouldn't you be thinking about university applications?"
Hyun-woo, the composer, faced constant comparisons to his older brother, a successful accountant. "When will you grow out of this phase?" his father would ask, shaking his head. "Your brother never gave us such worries."
Even Do-hyun, whose striking visuals had been further enhanced by the surgery, couldn't escape the skepticism. His grandmother would sigh heavily whenever she saw him practicing his rap, muttering about "wasted potential" and "foolish dreams."
Yoon-seok and Hae-won, the youngest members, struggled with the pressure of being their families' hopes for financial stability. Their improved looks did little to assuage their parents' fears about the instability of an idol's life.
Only Jae-sung seemed exempt from this familial doubt, having no immediate family to question his choices.
***
Byul-ho entered the practice room, his brow furrowing as he watched Ascend's rehearsal. Something was off. The usual energy and passion were missing from their movements and voices, save for Jae-sung, who seemed to be giving his all as always.
After a few minutes of observation, Byul-ho made a decision. "Thank you for your hard work," he said to the coaches. "Could you give us some time alone, please?"
Once the room cleared, Byul-ho faced the seven members. Despite being the youngest, his presence commanded respect. The members straightened, sensing the seriousness in his demeanor.
"What's going on?" Byul-ho asked, his voice calm but firm.
The members exchanged glances, some shifting uncomfortably. "Nothing's wrong," Min-jae ventured, not meeting Byul-ho's eyes.
Byul-ho shook his head. "I can see there's a problem. Your performance today, except for Jae-sung, was subpar. This isn't like you."
Sung-ho, always the most outspoken, stepped forward. "It's just practice, Byul-ho-ssi. We don't need to go all out every time, right?"
Byul-ho's frown deepened. "Just practice?" he repeated, his voice low. "There's no such thing as 'just practice.' Every moment you spend in this room is an opportunity to improve, to push yourselves further."
He looked at each member in turn, his gaze intense. "Success isn't built on half-hearted efforts. It's forged through consistent, relentless dedication. Whether it's a world tour performance or a quiet practice session, you should always give your absolute best. That's how you become the best."
Byul-ho paused, letting his words sink in. "This is how we'll prove everyone wrong. This is how Ascend will rise to the top. By being extraordinary in everything we do, no matter how trivial it may seem."
Hearing Byul-ho's passionate words, the members exchanged uncertain glances. Hae-won, the youngest at just two years Byul-ho's senior, stepped forward hesitantly.
"Byul-ho-ssi," he asked, his voice tinged with doubt, "do you really believe we can make it to the top?"
Byul-ho's gaze swept across the room, meeting each member's eyes in turn. His voice was steady and confident as he replied, "With my guidance and your dedication, I have no doubt that Ascend will reach the pinnacle of the industry. We will be the best."
Despite his assurance, Byul-ho could still see lingering uncertainty in their expressions. He softened his tone, "If something's troubling you, you can tell me. We're in this together."
The members shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances. Finally, Sung-ho spoke up, his usually confident voice wavering slightly. "It's our families, Byul-ho-ssi. They... they don't believe in us. They say harsh things, tell us we're wasting our time. It's hard to stay motivated when the people closest to us don't support our dreams."
Byul-ho listened intently, his expression thoughtful. When Sung-ho finished, he shook his head slowly and addressed the group.
"Listen carefully," he began, his voice firm but compassionate. "Family, strangers, their words - whether hurtful or encouraging - they're just words. The power lies not in what they say, but in how you choose to receive it. You can listen to the negative words and let them become your reality, or you can focus on the positive and use it to fuel your success. The choice is yours. Which side will you be on? The side that believes in your potential, or the side that doubts it?"
Jae-sung stepped forward, his eyes shining with determination. "I choose to believe in our potential," he said firmly. Then, looking at his fellow members, he continued, "But you know, we can also use the negative words to our advantage. That hatred, that doubt - we can turn it into motivation. Use it to fuel our desire to prove them wrong."
Byul-ho nodded approvingly. "Jae-sung's right. Sometimes, the greatest motivation comes from wanting to prove your doubters wrong."
Jae-sung took a deep breath, his voice growing softer as he shared his own story. "I've been where you are now. My family... they had big plans for me. They wanted me to become a lawyer, to have a 'respectable' career. But I was stubborn. I left it all behind to pursue my dream."
His gaze swept across the room, meeting each member's eyes. "It wasn't easy. There were times I doubted myself, times I wondered if I'd made a mistake. But I held onto my dream, and look where it's led me. To Ascend, to all of you."
Jae-sung's voice grew stronger, filled with passion. "We need to be stubborn about our dreams. When the world tells us to give up, we need to push back harder. When our families doubt us, we need to believe in ourselves even more fiercely."
The other members listened intently, a spark of renewed determination igniting in their eyes.
Jae-sung concluded, "This isn't just about proving others wrong. It's about proving ourselves right. We have the talent, we have the opportunity, and we have each other. Let's show the world what Ascend can do."
As Jae-sung finished speaking, a palpable energy filled the room. The doubt and weariness that had weighed down the members seemed to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose and unity.
Byul-ho watched this transformation with a mixture of pride and satisfaction. This was the spirit that would propel Ascend to the top.
Byul-ho clapped Jae-sung on the shoulder, a grin spreading across his face. "Well said, Jae-sung. You stole my thunder there," he joked, lightening the mood.
Jae-sung chuckled, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. The rest of the members joined in the laughter, the tension in the room dissipating.
"Alright," Byul-ho said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Now that we've got our motivation sorted, let's get to work. We're going to train like you've never trained before."
